STAR tax exemption deadline approaches

Suffolk County homeowners have until Thursday to register for a state STAR property tax exemption.

The exemption, formally known as the School Tax Relief program, is available to seniors and most homeowners whose combined income is $500,000 or less.

Seniors with an annual income of $79,050 or less must file an income-verification form with their town assessors’ offices to remain eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption.

Annual renewal is required unless the homeowner is registered with the state Income Verification Program, which allows assessors to automatically verify incomes annually through records filed with the state Department of Tax and Finance.

Annual renewal is not required for the Basic STAR exemption, which is available to homeowners with combined incomes of $500,000 or less who own their condominium, coop, mobile home or one-, two- or three-family home.

State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) said in a statement that homeowners should sign up for STAR exemptions. “This is money that our residents are entitled to and that they deserve,” Flanagan said.

STAR is available only for primary residences and is applicable to one address regardless of age or income.

For information, visit Flanagan’s website at www.flanagan.nysenate.gov; click on the STAR program information section on the home page.